ARMY GUARDS SYRIA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23495, 25 November 1941, Page 7

ARMY GUARDS SYRIA

PASSAGE BARRED • FROM TURKEY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST GERMAN THRUST (Received November 24, 7 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, November 23. A powerful and well-equipped British, Imperial and Free French army is ready to bar the way if the Germans attempt to smash across Turkey to attack Syria in order to I divert Britain’s attention from North Africa, says the Beirut correspondent of the British United Press. During the five months Britain was preparing for the Libyan offensive, strong reinforcements poured into Syria, Palestine and Lebanon, The correspondent says he has just returned from a tour of Syria and Palestine, where he saw arriving in steady, streams tanks of all sizes, Bren carriers, anti-aircraft guns, armoured cars, guns and munitions. He talked with veteran Australians from General Sit Archibald Wavell’s campaign in Libya who had undergone further intensive training. They are already on the friendliest terms with the Turkish frontier posts in the north. Veteran pilots who fought in the Battle for Britain are ready, standing by with Spitfires and Hurricanes. South Africa and New Zealand have sent tens of thousands of men to the Middle East in the last few months. General Wayell, he adds, also has another good-sized and well-equipped army in Iraq, ready for any emergency. The British army in Cyprus has also been considerably reinforced and will not be caught unawares if the Germans attack the island.